A WILMSLOW police chief has slammed plans for lowering speed limits claiming they will be 'an absolute nightmare'.

Sgt Kate Woods, who heads the town's Community Action Team, hit out at proposals for 'denationalising' fast roads.

"If all these 60 mile an hour limits went down to 30s, we'd have to police them and it would be an absolute nightmare," said Sgt Woods.

"Then there's the education of motorists. If you have lived in Alderley Edge all your life, and the main road suddenly goes from 60mph to 30mph, are you really going to stick to it?"

Popular routes facing a 50 per cent slowdown include the B5087 Alderley to Macclesfield road, the B5086 Wilmslow to Knutsford Road and the A538 Wilmslow to Altrincham road, which currently enjoy a 60mph maximum.

Labour's Cheshire spokesman, David Robinson, wants a blanket 30mph speed restriction on all roads running through villages and hamlets.

He said it would help reduce 'sexy' driving. "Road safety campaigns are fighting against a car culture that makes it sexy to drive fast.

"Speed is a bigger factor in road deaths than alcohol so we need to change the culture just like we did with drink driving."

Councillors rejected Coun Robinson's calls for the restrictions in all villages.

But they did agree on a 'speed limit review panel' to consider slashing the limit on some of Cheshire's roads, where around 10 people every week are injured or killed in collisions.

She said: "I think there should be more in residential roads rather than in the national (60mph) type.

"They can help as a deterrent to bring people's speed down.

"If you target areas where they have been accidents then it's justified installation."

Wilmslow Coun John Fraser, who backed the county council motion, said: "The key must be accountability and consistency across the board so the policy not only reduces accident figures but is workable and clearly understood by all."